LIQUOR PRODUCTS ACT 60 OF 1989

(Afrikaans text signed by the State President)

[Assented To: 17 May 1989]
[Commencement Date: 1 July 1990]
as amended by:
Wine and Spirit Control Act 47 of 1970
[as amended by the Wine and Spirit Control Amendment Act 25 of 1998]

Liquor Products Amendment Act 11 of 1993

Liquor Act 59 of 2003
Liquor Products Amendment Act 32 of 2008
ACT
To provide for control over the sale and production for sale of certain alcoholic products, the
composition and properties of such products and the use of certain particulars in connection
with the sale of such products; for the establishment of schemes; for control over the import
and export of certain alcoholic products; and for matters connected therewith.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.

Definitions
Wine and Spirit Board
Administering officer
Restriction on sale of certain alcoholic products
Requirements regarding wine
Requirements regarding alcoholic fruit beverages
Requirements regarding spirits
Requirements regarding grape-based liquors
Requirements regarding spirit-based liquors
Authorizations regarding certain alcoholic products
Use of certain particulars in connection with the sale of liquor products
Prohibition of false or misleading descriptions for liquor products
..
Establishment of schemes
Provisions of schemes
Restriction on the importation of certain alcoholic products
Restriction on the exportation of liquor products
Powers of entry, investigation and sampling
Seizures
Analysis of samples
Secrecy
Appeals
Offences and penalties
Presumptions and evidence
Forfeitures
Vicarious liability
Regulations
Discretionary powers

29. Delegation of powers

30. Defects in form
31. Limitation of liability
32. Repeal and amendment of laws
33. Short title and commencement
Schedule - Laws repealed or amended
1.

Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates administering officer means the administering officer who has been designated under
section 3;
advertisement, in relation to a liquor product, means any written, illustrated, visual or
other descriptive matter or oral statement, communication, representation or reference which
is distributed among members of the public or otherwise brought to their notice, and which is
or purports to be intended to promote the sale of a liquor product or to encourage the use
thereof or otherwise to draw attention thereto; and advertise has a corresponding meaning;
alcohol content, in relation to any product, means a percentage of ethyl alcohol per volume
of the product;
alcoholic fruit beverage means a product which complies with the requirements referred
to in section 6;
analyst means a person designated under section 20 as an analyst or who is deemed to have
been so designated;
board means the Wine and Spirit Board established by section 2;
class designation (a)

in relation to wine, an alcoholic fruit beverage, a spirit, a grape-based liquor or a spiritbased liquor, means the prescribed designation for a class thereof;

(b)

in relation to a specially authorized liquor, means the designation specified in a notice

published under section 10; and

(c)

in relation to any other liquor product in respect of which an import certificate has been
issued, means the designation specified in such import certificate;

container means a container with a capacity not exceeding five litres;

department means the Department of Agriculture;
Director-General means the Director-General of the department;
export certificate means an export certificate referred to in section 17, or a document
which is in terms of the said section deemed to be an export certificate;

grape-based liquor means a product which complies with the requirements referred to in
section 8;
grapes means fruit of plants of Vitis;
import certificate means an import certificate referred to in section 16, or a document
which is in terms of the said section deemed to be an import certificate;
international obligations includes the Trade-Related Intellectual Properly Rights or the
Wine and Spirit Agreement;
label, in relation to a container, means any printing or writing appearing on the container or
attached thereto;
liquor product means (a)

wine;

(b)

an alcoholic fruit beverage;

(c)

a spirit;

(d)

a grape-based liquor;

(e)

a spirit-based liquor;

(f)

a specially authorized liquor; and

(g)

any liquor other than a product mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f), in
respect of which an import certificate has been issued;

Minister means the Minister of Agriculture;

officer means an officer as defined in section 1 of the Public Service Act, 1984 (Act No.
111 of 1984), and includes an employee as so defined;
prescribed means prescribed by regulation;
regulation means a regulation made under section 27;
scheme means a scheme which has been established under section 14;
sell includes agree to sell, or offer, advertise, keep, expose, transmit, send, convey or
deliver for sale, or to exchange or to dispose of in any way for any consideration; and sale
and sold have corresponding meanings;
specially authorized liquor means a product in respect of which an authority which has
been granted under section 10, or which is deemed to have been so granted, is in force;
spirit means a product which complies with the requirements referred to in section 7;

spirit-based liquor means a product which complies with the requirements referred to in
section 9;
this Act includes the regulations;
wine means a product which complies with the requirements referred to in section 5.
2.

Wine and Spirit Board

(1)

There is hereby established a board to be known as the Wine and Spirit Board, and
which shall be a juristic person.

(2)

(a)

The board consists of(i)

at least eight persons with the relevant knowledge, skills or expertise in

viticulture, oenology, distilling, regulatory environment of the liquor
industry, liquor production, food safety or microbiology;

(ii)

three officers of the Department nominated by the Department;

(iii) one person nominated by the Agricultural research Council; and

(iv)

one person designated by the Minister.

(b)

The Minister shall appoint the members of the board contemplated in paragraph
(a)(i) subject to paragraph (d) and shall designate one of the members of the board
as chairperson.

(c)

The Minister shall notify Parliament in writing of the appointment of the members
of the board within 30 days after such an appointment.

(d)

The process for the appointment of the members of the board shall be as follows:
(i)

The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette and in any national newspaper
circulating in every province of the Republic, invite persons, stakeholders
and the industry to submit to the Minister, within a period mentioned in the
notice, the names of persons who comply with the criteria referred to in
paragraph (a)(i);

(ii)

the Minister shall establish a selection committee consisting of at least four

persons and designate a chairperson for the committee; and

(iii) the selection committee shall, from the nominations submitted to it, compile
a short-list of eligible candidates and submit its recommendation to the
Minister for the appointment of members to the board.
(3)

No person shall be appointed as a member of the board (a)

unless he or she is a South African citizen permanently resident in the Republic;

(b)

if he or she is an unrehabilitated insolvent;

(4)

(5)

(c)

if he or she has been convicted of an offence under this Act; or

(d)

if he or she has been convicted of any offence for which he or she has been
sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.

(a)

A member of the board shall hold office, subject to subsection (5), for a period not
exceeding three years, and such member shall after the expiration of such period
until his or her successor has been appointed.

(b)

If a member of the board ceases to hold office for any reason, the Minister may,
subject to subsection (2), appoint any person in his or her place for the unexpired
period of his or her term of office.

(c)

Any person whose term of office as a member of the board has expired, shall
immediately thereafter be eligible for reappointment without complying with the
process contemplated in subsection (2)(d).

(d)

A member of the board may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

(a)

A member of the board shall vacate office if he or she (i)

becomes disqualified in terms of subsection (3);

(ii)

becomes of unsound mind;

(iii) has been absent from more than two consecutive meetings of the board
without the leave of the chairperson.

(6)

(7)

(b)

Subject to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act No. 3 of 2000),
the Minister may at any time remove a member of the board from office if in the
opinion of the Minister sound reasons exist for doing so.

(a)

(b)

The members of the board shall at the first meeting of the board, and thereafter
whenever necessary, elect a deputy chairperson from amongst themselves.

(c)

If both the chairperson and the deputy chairperson are absent from a meeting of
the board, the members present shall from amongst themselves elect a member to
preside at such meeting.

(a)

The first meeting of the board shall be held at a time and place determined by the
chairman, and thereafter at such times and places as the board may from time to
time determine.

(b)

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) the chairman of the board may at
his discretion call a special meeting of the board at such time and place as he may
determine, with a view to dealing with special or urgent matters, and he shall call
a special meeting within 14 days of the date on which he has received a written
request to this effect from the Minister or at least four members of the board.

(8)

(9)

(c)

The majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for a meeting
of the board.

(d)

The decision of the majority of the members of the board present at a meeting
thereof shall constitute a decision of the board, and in the event of an equality of
votes on any matter, the person presiding at the meeting in question shall have a
casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote.

(e)

No decision taken by the board or act performed on the authority of the board
shall be invalid merely by reason of a vacancy on the board or because a person
who was not entitled to sit as a member, sat as such member at the time when the
decision was taken or the act was authorized, if the decision was taken or act
authorized by the majority of the members present at the time and who were
entitled to sit as members of the board.

(a)

The board may, either from among its number or in such other manner determined
by the board, appoint one or more committees to perform, subject to the directions
of the board, such functions of the board as the board may determine, or to advise
the board on any matter in respect of which a function is assigned to the board.

(b)

The board may at any time dissolve or reconstitute such a committee.

(c)

The Government Brandy Board referred to in section 8A of the Wine, Other

Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957 (Act No. 25 of 1957), as it exists
immediately prior to the commencement of this section shall, as from the date of
commencement of this section, be deemed to be a committee appointed by the
board in terms of paragraph (a), and shall from such date be known as the Brandy
Evaluation Committee.

(d)

The board shall not be divested of any function performed in terms of the
provisions of this subsection by any committee of the board.

(e)

Any decision of a committee may be withdrawn or amended by the board or

referred back to such committee and shall, until it has been so withdrawn or
amended, except for the purposes of this paragraph, be deemed to be a decision of
the board.

A member of the board and a member of a committee referred to in subsection (8) who
are not in the full-time employment of the State, shall be paid from the funds of the
board such allowances as the Minister may with the concurrence of the Minister of
Finance determine in general or in any particular case.

(10) (a)

In addition to such functions as may be assigned to the board by or under this Act
or in terms of a scheme or under any other law, the board may (i)

hire, purchase or otherwise acquire such movable or immovable property as

the board may deem necessary for the performance of its functions, and may
rent, sell or otherwise dispose of property so acquired;

(ii)

from time to time raise money by way of loan for the purpose of performing
its functions;

(iii) hypothecate its immovable property as security for a loan referred to in

subparagraph (ii);
(iv) insure itself against any loss, damage, risk or liability which it may suffer or
incur;
(v)

enter into agreements for the performance of specific acts or functions or the
rendering of specific services;

(vi) from time to time make recommendations to the Minister concerning any
matter to which this Act relates; and
(vii) in general perform such acts as it may deem necessary or expedient for the
efficient performance of its functions.
(b)

(c)

(11) (a)

The work incidental to the performance of the functions of the board shall be
performed by (i)

persons appointed by the board on such conditions and at such remuneration

as the Minister may with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance
determine; and

(ii)

persons with whom the board entered into agreements in terms of paragraph
(a) (v).

An agreement entered into under section 20 of the Wine, Other Fermented

Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957, prior to the date of commencement of this
section and in terms of which a person undertook to perform specified functions
on behalf of the Wine and Spirit Board referred to in section 19 of the said Act
shall, if still in force immediately prior to such date, be deemed to be an
agreement under paragraph (a) (v) between the board and such person.
The funds of the board shall consist of (i)

money paid to the board in terms of this Act or a scheme; and

(ii)

money which accrues to the board from any other source.

(b)

The board shall utilize its funds for the defrayal of the expenses incurred by the
board in the performance of its functions.

(c)

The board shall open an account with an institution registered as a bank in terms
of the Banking Act, 1965 (Act No. 23 of 1965), and shall deposit in that account
all money received in terms of paragraph (a).

(d)

The board may invest any of its money not required for immediate use.

(12) (a)
(b)

The financial year of the board shall terminate on such date in each year as
the board may determine.
The board shall -

3.

4.

(i)

cause adequate records to be kept of money received or expended by it, and

of its assets, liabilities and financial transactions; and

(ii)

as soon as possible, but not later than three months after the end of each
financial year, cause annual financial statements to be prepared showing,
with the appropriate particulars, money received and expenditure incurred
by it during, and its assets and liabilities at the end of, the said financial
year.

(c)

The records and annual financial statements referred to in paragraph (b) shall be
audited by a person registered as an accountant and auditor in terms of the Public
Accountants and Auditors Act, 1951 (Act No. 51 of 1951).

(13) (a)

The board shall within six months of the end of each financial year submit to the
Minister a copy of the audited annual financial statements referred to in
subsection (12) (c), together with a report on the activities of the board during that
financial year.

(b)

Copies of the annual financial statements and of the report referred to in paragraph
(a) shall (i)

be open to public inspection at the office of the board during office hours;
and

(ii)

be obtainable from the board against payment of the amount determined

therefor by the board.

Administering officer
(1)

The Minister shall designate an officer in the department as administering officer, who
shall, subject to the control and instructions of the Minister, exercise the powers and
carry out the duties conferred or imposed upon the administering officer by or under this
Act.

(2)

(a)

The administering officer may in writing delegate or transfer to any officer under
his control any such power or duty, or in writing authorize any such officer to
exercise such power or carry out such duty.

(b)

Any decision made or order given by such officer may be withdrawn or amended
by the administering officer and shall, until it has been so withdrawn or amended,
except for the purposes of this paragraph, be deemed to have been made or given
by the administering officer.

Restriction on sale of certain alcoholic products

(1)

No person shall sell or produce for sale any product (a)

with an alcohol content of more than one per cent for drinking purposes; or

(b)

including but not limited to a powder form, which, combined with any substance
or liquid, will have an alcohol content of more than one per cent and is intended
for drinking purposes,

unless that product is a liquor product.

(2)

5.

The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to (a)

beer and sorghum beer as defined in section 1 of the Liquor Act, 1989 (Act No. 27
of 1989); and

(b)

medicine as defined in section 1 (1) of the Medicines and Related Substances

Control Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965).

Requirements regarding wine

(1)

Wine shall be produced (a)

from grapes of a prescribed cultivar;

(b)

by (i)

the alcoholic fermentation, in accordance with generally accepted cellar

practices, of the juice of grapes contemplated in paragraph (a) or the
reconstituted juice obtained from a concentrate of the juice of such grapes or
of a mixture of such juice and such reconstituted juice; and

(ii)

completing or terminating such alcoholic fermentation; or

(iii) the addition of a prescribed spirit derived from grapes, to juice of such
grapes or such fermented juice; and
(c)

6.

in such a manner that it complies with the prescribed requirements for wine or a
particular prescribed class thereof.

(2)

Wine shall not contain a particular prescribed substance to a greater extent than that
prescribed.

(3)

No person shall, either before, during or after completion or termination of the alcoholic
fermentation referred to in subsection (1) (b) (a)

add to or remove from the juice of fresh grapes or the wine produced therefrom,
any substance other than a substance prescribed for this purpose; and

(b)

so add or remove a substance so prescribed, otherwise than in accordance with the

prescribed manner or conditions.

Requirements regarding alcoholic fruit beverages

(1)

An alcoholic fruit beverage shall (a)

be produced from the juice of fresh fruit that is in such a condition that alcoholic
fermentation can occur therein without diluting that juice;

(b)

except where expressly provided otherwise by regulation -

7.

(i)

be produced from the juice of a single kind of fruit only; and

(ii)

not be produced from the juice of grapes;

(c)

be produced by the alcoholic fermentation of such juice, or of reconstituted juice

obtained from a concentrate of such juice, or of a mixture of such juice and such
reconstituted juice;

(d)

be produced by completing or terminating such alcoholic fermentation;

(e)

be produced by the application of the prescribed production processes only; and

(f)

be produced in such a manner that it is of a prescribed class and complies with the
prescribed requirements for the class concerned.

(2)

An alcoholic fruit beverage shall not contain a particular prescribed substance to a

greater extent than that prescribed.

(3)

No person shall, either before, during or after completion or termination of the alcoholic
fermentation referred to in subsection (1) (c) (a)

add to or remove from the juice of fresh fruit or the alcoholic fruit beverage
produced therefrom, any substance other than a substance prescribed for this
purpose; and

(b)

so add or remove a substance so prescribed, otherwise than in accordance with the

prescribed manner or conditions.

Requirements regarding spirits

(1)

A spirit shall (a)

be produced by the distillation or redistillation, in accordance with the prescribed

requirements, of a fermented vegetable article or the distillate obtained therefrom;
and

(b)

be produced in such a manner that it is of a prescribed class and complies with the
prescribed requirements for the class concerned.

(2)

A spirit shall not contain a particular prescribed substance to a greater extent than that
prescribed.

(3)

No person shall (a)

add to a spirit any substance other than a substance prescribed for this purpose;
and

(b)

so add a substance so prescribed, otherwise than in accordance with the prescribed

manner or conditions.

8.

Requirements regarding grape-based liquors

(1)

9.

(a)

be produced from grapes of a prescribed cultivar of which the juice has undergone
complete or partial alcoholic fermentation;

(b)

be produced by treating such juice or fermented product in the prescribed manner,

or by adding thereto or removing therefrom a prescribed substance; and

(c)

be produced in such a manner that it is of a prescribed class and complies with the
prescribed requirements for the class concerned.

(2)

A grape-based liquor shall not contain a particular prescribed substance to a greater

extent than that prescribed.

(3)

No person shall, either before, during or after completion or termination of the alcoholic
fermentation referred to in subsection (1) (a) (a)

add to or remove from the product from which a grape-based liquor is produced,
or a substance added in terms of subsection (1) (b), or a grape-based liquor, any
substance other than a substance prescribed for this purpose; and

(b)

so add or remove a substance so prescribed, otherwise than in accordance with the

prescribed manner or conditions.

Requirements regarding spirit-based liquors

(1)

10.

A grape-based liquor shall -

A spirit-based liquor shall (a)

be produced by the treatment of a spirit in the prescribed manner, or by the

addition of a prescribed substance to a spirit; and

(b)

be produced in such a manner that it is of a prescribed class and complies with the
prescribed requirements for the class concerned.

(2)

A spirit-based liquor shall not contain a particular prescribed substance to a greater

extent than that prescribed.

(3)

No person shall (a)

add to a spirit from which a spirit-based liquor is produced, or a substance added

in terms of subsection (1) (a), or a spirit-based liquor, any substance other than a
substance prescribed for this purpose; and

(b)

so add a substance so prescribed, otherwise than in accordance with the prescribed

manner or conditions.

Authorizations regarding certain alcoholic products

(1)

The Minister may by notice in the Gazette grant authority that a person specified in such
notice -

(a)

may sell, or produce for sale, for drinking purposes, a sacramental beverage
specified in such notice;

(b)

may sell, or produce for sale, for drinking purposes, an alcoholic beverage
obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of the juice of oranges together with cane
sugar; or

(c)

may sell, or produce for sale, for drinking purposes, an alcoholic beverage
obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of honey.

(2)

An application for such authorization shall be made in the prescribed manner and be
accompanied by the prescribed application fee.

(3)

Such an authorization (a)

shall, in the case of an alcoholic beverage referred to in subsection (1) (b) or (c) be
granted only if (i)

the person concerned is authorized in terms of a licence or authority issued

or granted by or under the Liquor Act, 1989 (Act No. 27 of 1989), to sell
liquor as defined in the said Act;

(ii)

the person concerned is the successor in law of a person who was by notice
under section 7 (2) (a) (ii) of the Wine, Other Fermented Beverages and
Spirits Act, 1957 (Act No. 25 of 1957), permitted to sell the alcoholic
product concerned or to produce it for sale, or is the successor in law of the
first-mentioned person; and

(iii) the predecessor in law to the person concerned has maintained the
permission or authorization concerned as contemplated in subsection (6);
and
(b)
(4)

shall be granted for the period specified in the notice concerned, and the continued
validity thereof may be maintained as contemplated in subsection (6).

A notice referred to in subsection (1) may contain conditions and restrictions regarding (a)

the premises at which the alcoholic beverage concerned may be produced;

(b)

the volume of the alcoholic beverage concerned that may be produced annually;

(c)

the designation that shall apply as the class designation for the alcoholic beverage
concerned;

(d)

the alcohol content of the alcoholic beverage concerned;

(e)

the processes which may or shall be applied in connection with the production of
the alcoholic beverage concerned;

(f)

the substances that may either before, during or after the production of the
alcoholic beverage concerned, be added thereto or removed therefrom, and the

manner in which and the conditions subject to which such substances may be so
added or removed;

(5)

(g)

the extent to which particular substances may occur in the alcoholic beverage
concerned;

(h)

supervision over the production of the alcoholic beverage concerned;

(i)

the records that shall be kept and the returns that shall be furnished in connection
with the production and sale of the alcoholic beverage concerned; and

(j)

any other matter which the Minister may, subject to the provisions of this Act,
deem necessary or expedient in order to attain the objects of this section, and the
generality of this provision shall not be limited by the preceding paragraphs of
this subsection.

(a)

Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), a notice under section 7 (2) (a) of the
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957, in terms of which a
person is permitted to sell or to produce for sale an alcoholic beverage specified in
such notice, and which is in force immediately prior to the commencement of this
section, shall be deemed to be a notice referred to in subsection (1).

(b)

The validity of a permission granted in a notice referred to in paragraph (a) shall

expire on a date 90 days after the date of commencement of this section, unless
the person mentioned in such notice has before or on such date of expiry lodged a
written application for the continuation of the validity thereof with the
administering officer.

(6)

A person authorized or deemed to be authorized in terms of this section, shall annually

at the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner pay the amount prescribed in respect
of the maintenance of that authority.

(7)

(a)

(b)
11.

An authorization granted or deemed to be granted in terms of this section shall

lapse if (i)

the amount payable in terms of subsection (6) has not been paid as
contemplated in that subsection; or

(ii)

the licence or authority referred to in subsection (3) (a) in respect of the

person concerned, has lapsed or has been withdrawn.

If an authorization has lapsed as contemplated in paragraph (a), the Minister shall

make it known by notice in the Gazette.

Use of certain particulars in connection with the sale of liquor products

(1)

No person shall sell any liquor product in a container, unless the prescribed particulars
of such liquor product are indicated in the prescribed manner on the label of such
container and on the package of such container.

(2)

No person shall in connection with the sale of a liquor product -

(3)

(a)

use the word wine or wyn, unless it forms part of a class designation for the
liquor product concerned, or that liquor product is wine;

(b)

use the word spirit or spiritus, unless it forms part of a class designation for
the liquor product concerned, or that liquor product is a spirit;

(c)

use the word or expression alcoholic fruit beverage, alkoholiese vrugtedrank,

grape-based
liquor,
druifbasisdrank,
spirit-based
liquor,
spiritusbasisdrank, specially authorized liquor or spesiaal gemagtigde
drank, unless it forms part of a class designation for the liquor product
concerned;

(d)

use a class designation, or any word or expression that so resembles a class

designation that it will deceive or is likely to deceive, unless it is the applicable
class designation for the liquor product concerned;

(e)

indicate the alcohol content of the liquor product concerned in any way other than
by means of a percentage per volume; and

(f)

use the name of any country, or a word or expression containing such name or
partially consisting thereof, in a manner which indicates or purports to indicate
that such liquor product is a product of a country other than the country of origin
thereof.

(a)

Unless authorized thereto in terms of a scheme, no person shall use in connection

with the sale of wine (i)

the name under which an area or a piece of land or a portion of a piece of

land is defined by virtue of provision included in a scheme in terms of
section 15 (1) (d), or deemed in terms of section 15 (2) (a) to have been so
defined;

(ii)

the name under which an area in the Republic where viticulture is practised
is generally known, irrespective of whether the boundaries of such area can
readily be determined or not;

(iii) the designation of any vine cultivar, or any word or expression that so
resembles such designation that it will deceive or is likely to deceive;
(iv) any particulars that indicate or purport to indicate that the wine concerned
was produced in a particular year or from grapes harvested in a particular
year; and
(v)

(b)

the word estate, landgoed, vineyard, wingerd, origin,

oorsprong, vintage, oesjaar, superior or superieur, or a translation
of any of the said words in any language whatsoever, or any word or
expression that so resembles any of the said words or a translation thereof
that it will deceive or is likely to deceive.

The Minister may, on the recommendation of the board, by notice in the Gazette
publish lists of the names and designations referred to in paragraph (a) (ii) and
(iii).

(4)

(5)

(6)

(c)

The Minister may by notice in the Gazette declare the provisions of paragraph (a),
or so many thereof as he may deem expedient in a particular case, applicable to a
liquor product other than wine, or a particular class thereof.

(a)

The Minister may by notice in the Gazette prohibit or reserve, under such
circumstances and on such conditions as may be set out in the notice, the use of
any word, expression or representation in connection with the sale of a particular
liquor product, or a particular class thereof.

(b)

A notice published in terms of section 4 or 10 of the Wine, Other Fermented

Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957 (Act No. 25 of 1957), and in force immediately
prior to the date of commencement of this section, shall be deemed to be a notice
referred to in paragraph (a).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this section, the Minister may by
regulation (a)

prescribe the words or expressions that are permissible additions to or

transformations of specified class designations of particular liquor products; and

(b)

grant exemption, under such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may
be prescribed, from a prohibition referred to in subsection (2) or (3).

The provisions of this section shall not be construed as restricting the use of (a)

a trade mark as defined in section 2 (1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1963 (Act No. 62
of 1963), which is used or is intended for use in connection with the sale of a
liquor product;

(b)

the name of a company as defined in section 1 (1) of the Companies Act, 1973
(Act No. 61 of 1973);

(c)

the name of a co-operative society as defined in section 1 of the Wine and Spirit
Control Act, 1970 (Act No. 47 of 1970); or

(d)

the name of a corporation as defined in section 1 of the Close Corporations Act,

1984 (Act No. 69 of 1984),

that was registered, used or established on the date of commencement of this section,
except if the word estate, landgoed, vineyard or wingerd is contained in, or
forms part of, such trade mark or name.
(7)

The board and the administering officer shall for the purposes of any proceedings in
terms of any applicable law, be deemed to be an interested party who may lawfully
lodge an objection against the continued registration, or an application for the
registration of, a trade mark or name referred to in subsection (6) in so far as such
objection relates to any word, expression or other particulars referred to in subsection
(2), (3) or (4).

12.

Prohibition of false or misleading descriptions for liquor products

(1)

No person shall use any name, word, expression, reference, particulars or indication in
any manner, either by itself or in coherence with any other verbal, written, printed,
illustrated or visual material, in connection with the sale of a liquor product in a manner
that conveys or creates or is likely to convey or create a false or misleading impression
as to the nature, substance, quality, composition or other properties, or the class,
cultivar, origin, age, identity, or manner or place of production, of the liquor product.

(2)

If (a)

the administering officer or the board, as the case may be, is of the opinion that a
person has contravened the provisions of subsection (1); and

(b)

such person has declared himself prepared thereto in writing,

the administering officer or the board, as the case may be, may refer the alleged
contravention for investigation and decision to an appeal board referred to in section 22.
13.

13A Restriction on use of geographical names

14.

(1)

The Minister may, taking into account the Republic's international obligations or
agreements with other countries, by notice in the Gazette restrict the use of specified
geographical names in connection with the sale or export of a specified liquor product,
on such conditions as may be specified in such notice.

(2)

A notice issued in terms of subsection (1) shall also apply where the geographical name
concerned (a)

is used in conjunction with an indication of the true origin of the liquor product;

(b)

is translated; or

(c)

is accompanied by an expression such as 'kind', 'type', 'style', 'imitation' or any

similar expression,

Establishment of schemes
(1)

The Minister may on the recommendation of the board by notice in the Gazette establish
a scheme in respect of a liquor product derived from grapes, with a view to further
regulating particular matters relating to the production and sale of such liquor products,
including the granting of authorisations for the use of particulars referred to in section
11 (3) (a) and (4) in connection with the sale of the said liquor products.

(2)

The provisions of different schemes may differ to such extent as the Minister may
determine on the recommendation of the board.

(3)

A scheme so established shall be administered by the board.

15.

Provisions of schemes
(1)

A scheme may (a)

set out the objects of the scheme;

(b)

indicate the liquor product or class of liquor product to which the scheme applies;

(c)

indicate the particulars referred to in section 11 (3) (a) and (4) of which the use in
connection with the sale of a liquor product may be authorized in terms of such
scheme;

(d)

provide authority for the defining of areas and pieces of land and portions of
pieces of land under particular names, for the amendment or withdrawal of such
definitions, and for the imposition of conditions applicable to any such definition,
withdrawal or amendment;

(e)

indicate the requirements to be complied with before an authorization referred to

in paragraph (c) may be granted;

(f)

contain directives regarding the raw materials to be used in connection with the
production of the liquor product or class of liquor product concerned, the place or
time of production and the composition thereof;

(g)

provide for the applications to be made, the notices to be furnished, the approvals
to be obtained and the records to be kept in connection with the processes applied
during the production of the liquor product or class of liquor product concerned;

(h)

contain directives relating to the addition of substances to, the removal of

substances from and the application of processes to the liquor product or class of
liquor product concerned, whether before, during or after the production thereof;

(i)

indicate the requirements and conditions to be complied with during the

production of the liquor product or class of liquor product concerned;

(j)

set out the circumstances and conditions under which a person may terminate his
participation in such scheme;

(k)

provide for the control to which the liquor product or class of liquor product
concerned shall be subject before an authorization referred to in paragraph (c)
may be granted;

(l)

indicate the type of container in which the liquor product or class of liquor
product concerned shall or may be contained, as well as the maximum capacity of
such containers;

(m) indicate the requirements relating to the labels on and the labelling of such
containers, including the approval of labels;
(n)

provide that an authorization referred to in paragraph (c), in respect of a particular

quantity of the liquor product or class of liquor product concerned may be refused
if the board is satisfied that -

(2)

16.

(i)

any other provision of such scheme has not been complied with in respect of
such quantity; or

(ii)

such quantity does not comply with the quality standards determined by the
board;

(o)

require that a seal or other mark determined by the board for this purpose shall, in
a manner determined by the board, be affixed to or indicated on every container of
the liquor product or class of liquor product concerned, or on a specified label on
any such container;

(p)

determine the fees, levies or charges payable in respect of services rendered or

approvals required in terms of such scheme, or authorize the board to determine
such fees, levies or charges;

(q)

determine that the rendering of any service in terms of such scheme may be
refused to a person who is indebted to the board in any amount in respect of fees,
levies or charges referred to in paragraph (p);

(r)

determine that any person who refuses or fails to comply with any provision of
such scheme or a condition determined thereunder, may be fully or partially
excluded by the board from further participation in such scheme;

(s)

provide generally for any other matter which, subject to the provisions of this Act,
in the opinion of the Minister is necessary or expedient in order to further or better
achieve the objects of such scheme, the generality of the power conferred by this
paragraph not being limited by the preceding paragraphs of this subsection.

(a)

The definition of a particular area or piece of land under a particular name in

terms of section 22 of the Wine, Other Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957
(Act No. 25 of 1957), and which is in force immediately prior to the repeal of that
section, shall remain in force, and shall, if it is in force immediately prior to the
establishment of a scheme for wine, when such a scheme for wine is established,
be deemed to be the definition of that area or piece of land by virtue of provision
included in such scheme in terms of subsection (1) (d).

(b)

Any other act performed in terms of the regulations under the Wine, Other
Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957, with regard to wine and in respect of
which an authority referred to in subsection (1) (c) could have been granted if a
scheme for wine was established before the act concerned was performed, shall on
the repeal of the empowering provision in respect of such regulations remain in
force, and shall, when such scheme for wine is established, be deemed to be an act
performed in terms of the relevant scheme.

Restriction on the importation of certain alcoholic products

(1)

(a)

No person shall import any product with an alcohol content of more than one per
cent into the Republic for drinking purposes, except on the authority of an import
certificate issued by the administering officer.

(b)

The provisions of paragraph (a) shall not apply to -

(i)

beer, sorghum beer and medicine referred to in section 4 (2);

(ii)

a product referred to in that paragraph that is imported by or for a Head of

State, or by or for a diplomatic or other foreign representative referred to in
Item 406.00 of Schedule 4 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91
of 1964); and

(iii) a product referred to in that paragraph that is imported for a prescribed

purpose, or of which a consignment does not exceed the prescribed volume.
(2)

An application for an import certificate shall be made in the prescribed manner, and the
prescribed application fee shall be payable in respect thereof.

(3)

(a)

(b)

Subject to paragraph (b) and the international obligations of the Republic, an

import certificate shall be issued only if (i)

the product concerned is wine, an alcoholic fruit beverage, a spirit, a grapebased liquor or a spirit-based liquor; and

(ii)

in the case of a product imported in the containers in which it is to be sold in

the Republic, the particulars on those containers and on the package of such
containers comply with the applicable requirements of this Act.

An import certificate may also be issued in respect of a product other than a

product referred to in paragraph (a) (i) if (i)

that product does not contain a particular prescribed substance to a greater

extent than prescribed;

(ii)

that product is imported in the fully labelled containers in which it is to be

sold in the Republic;

(iii) the labels on those containers comply with the applicable requirements of
this Act; and
(iv) ..
(4)

(5)

(a)

An import certificate shall be issued on the conditions determined by the

administering officer.

(b)

The further disposal of a product that is imported in bulk shall be subject to

compliance with the prescribed directions.

(a)

A product that is imported into the Republic contrary to the provisions of

subsection (1) or a condition determined under subsection (4) (a), or in respect of
which the prescribed directions referred to in subsection (4) (b) have not been
complied with, shall, at the option of the importer thereof (i)

at the expense of such importer be removed by him from the Republic

within such period as the administering officer may determine;

(ii)

with the approval of the administering officer and subject to such conditions
as he may determine, be treated or dealt with so that the product concerned
thereafter complies with the applicable provisions of this Act; or

(iii) be forfeited to the State, and thereafter destroyed.

(6)

17.

(b)

If an importer fails to remove such product from the Republic within the period
determined in terms of paragraph (a) (i), or to comply with a condition determined
in terms of paragraph (a) (ii), that product shall be forfeited to the State, and
thereafter be destroyed.

(c)

The State may recover any expenses incurred by it in connection with the
destruction of a product in terms of paragraph (a) (iii) or (b) from the importer
concerned.

A certificate of removal issued in terms of section 27A of the Wine, Other Fermented
Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957 (Act No. 25 of 1957), and in force immediately prior to
the date of commencement of this section, shall be deemed to be an import certificate
which has been issued in terms of this section.

Restriction on the exportation of liquor products

(1)

(a)

No person shall export any product with an alcohol content of more than one
percent for drinking purposes, except on the authority of an export certificate
issued by the administering officer.

(b)

The provisions of paragraph (a) shall not apply to (i)

beer, sorghum beer and medicine referred to in section 4 (2); and

(ii)

a liquor product exported for a prescribed purpose or to a prescribed

country, or of which a consignment does not exceed the prescribed volume.

(2)

An application for an export certificate shall be made in the prescribed manner, and the
prescribed application fee shall be payable in respect thereof.

(3)

An export certificate shall only be issued if (a)

the product concerned is a liquor product or, in the case of another product, the
exporter thereof satisfies the administering officer that such other product may be
sold for drinking purposes in the country to which it is to be exported; and

(b)

in the case of a liquor product derived from grapes and when required by
regulation, the board has in the prescribed manner found the product concerned to
be suitable for export.

(4)

The export of a product on the authority of an export certificate shall be subject to

compliance with the prescribed directions.

(5)

An export certificate issued in terms of the regulations made under the Wine, Other
Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, (Act No. 25 of 1957), and which is in force

immediately prior to the date of commencement of this section, shall be deemed to be

an export certificate issued in terms of this section.
18.

Powers of entry, investigation and sampling

(1)

(a)

The administering officer and an officer acting under a delegation or direction of

the administering officer may, whenever he deems it necessary in the exercising or
carrying out by him of any power or duty which is granted to or imposed upon the
administering officer by or under this Act, at any reasonable time without prior
notice enter upon any place, premises or conveyance.

(b)

The provisions of paragraph (a) shall in connection with the exercise of a function
conferred on the board by or under this Act or in terms of a scheme, apply mutatis
mutandis to (i)

a person employed by the board;

(ii)

any person with whom the board has entered into an agreement in terms of
section 2 (10) (a) (v); and

(iii) any person employed by a person referred to in subparagraph (ii).

(c)

(2)

A person who enters upon any place, premises or conveyance in terms of this
subsection shall show proof of his identity and authority when requested thereto
by the person in charge of the place, premises or conveyance concerned.

A person referred to in subsection (1) may, when acting under that subsection (a)

take with him such assistants, appliances, instruments, tools or other things as he
may deem necessary for the relevant purpose;

(b)

demand from the owner or person in charge of the place, premises or conveyance
concerned all reasonable assistance that such person may deem necessary in order
to enable him to exercise, carry out or perform his powers, duties or functions in
connection with that place, premises or conveyance;

(c)

examine or test any liquor product, material, substance or other article in respect
of which this Act or scheme applies and which is, or which is suspected to be,
produced, processed, treated, prepared, graded, classified, packed, marked,
labelled, held, bottled, removed, transported, exhibited or sold there;

(d)

inspect the operations or processes in connection with any action referred to in

paragraph (c), and demand from the owner or custodian of the liquor product,
material, substance or other article concerned, or from the person supervising such
operations or processes, any information or an explanation regarding the
operation, process, liquor product, material, substance or other article concerned;

(e)

take such samples of the liquor product, material, substance or other article
concerned as he may deem necessary, and for such purpose open any container in
which that liquor product, material, substance or other article is contained; and

(f)

19.

examine and make copies of or take extracts from any book or document in
respect of which he on reasonable grounds suspects that it relates to such product,
material, substance or other article, irrespective of whether it is kept on or at the
place, premises or conveyance concerned or at any other place, and demand from
the owner or custodian of such book or document an explanation of any record or
entry therein.

(3)

The provisions of subsection (2) (d) and (f) shall not be construed as authorizing a
person referred to in subsection (1) to demand information by which he may acquire
knowledge of any secret formula for the production or blending of a liquor product.

(4)

A sample taken in terms of subsection (2) (e) shall with the least possible delay be
submitted to an analyst for testing, examination or analysis.

(5)

A person referred to in subsection (1) shall in respect of each sample taken of a liquor
product contained in a labelled container, issue a receipt of sampling to the custodian of
the product concerned.

Seizures
(1)

A person referred to in section 18 (1) may at any reasonable time and in any manner
deemed fit by him, without prior notice to any person, seize any liquor product,
material, substance or other article, or any book or document, that (a)

is concerned or is on reasonable grounds believed by him to be concerned in the

commission or suspected commission of any offence under this Act;

(b)

may afford evidence of the commission or suspected commission of any such

offence; or

(c)

is intended or is on reasonable grounds believed by him to be intended to be used

in the commission of any such offence.

(2)

Such person may remove any quantity of a liquor product, material, substance or other
article, or any book or document, so seized, from the place, premises or conveyance
where he seized it, or leave it thereon and, if he deems it necessary, attach such
identification mark or seal as he may deem necessary on such liquor product, material,
substance or other article or the container thereof, or on such book or document.

(3)

(a)

(b)

The administering officer or the board, as the case may be, may (i)

grant authority that a liquor product, material, substance or other article

seized in terms of subsection (1), may within the period and in the manner
specified in such authorization, be treated or dealt with;

(ii)

if the said officer or the board is satisfied that the cause for the seizure
concerned has been removed by such treatment or action, return the liquor
product, material, substance or other article to the person from whom it was
seized.

If no criminal proceedings are instituted in connection with a liquor product,

material, substance or other article seized in terms of subsection (1), or if it

appears that such liquor product, material, substance or other article is not
required at the trial for purposes of evidence or an order of court, that liquor
product, material, substance or other article shall be returned to the person from
whom it was seized.
20.

Analysis of samples
(1)

22.

The Director-General may designate a person qualified by technical training,

possessing adequate knowledge, skill and experience, and having adequate
facilities at his disposal, as an analyst for the purposes of the provisions of this Act
or a scheme.

(b)

The designation of a person as an analyst in terms of section 28 of the Wine, Other

Fermented Beverages and Spirits Act, 1957, (Act No. 25 of 1957), shall, if in
force immediately prior to the date of commencement of this section, be deemed
to have been done in terms of paragraph (a).

(2)

Each sample submitted to an analyst in terms of section 18 (4) shall be tested, examined
or analysed by him in accordance with the prescribed methods.

(3)

An analyst shall -

(4)
21.

(a)

(a)

record the results of such test, examination or analysis on a certificate determined

for this purpose by the administering officer or the board, as the case may be; and

(b)

furnish the original of such certificate to the person referred to in section 18 (1) by
whom the sample concerned was taken.

No person shall use a certificate referred to in subsection (3), or any results recorded on
such certificate, in any manner whatsoever for the purposes of any advertisement.

Secrecy
(1)

No person shall, except for the purpose of the performance of his functions under this
Act or a scheme, or for the purpose of legal proceedings under this Act, or when
required to do so by any competent court or under any law, or with the written consent
of the Minister, disclose to any other person any information acquired by him in the
performance of his functions under this Act or a scheme and which relates to the
business or affairs of any person, or use such information for self-gain or for the benefit
of his employer.

(2)

No person shall, except with the written consent of the Minister, give access to any
person other than a person referred to in section 18 (1) or a person entitled thereto in
terms of any law, to any records or registers kept in terms of this Act or a scheme.

Appeals
(1)

Any person whose interests are affected by any decision or direction of the
administering officer or the board under this Act or a scheme, may appeal against such
decision or direction to an appeal board appointed by the Director-General for this
purpose.

(2)

Such appeal shall be lodged in the prescribed manner within the prescribed period, and
the prescribed amount shall be payable in respect thereof.

(3)

(a)

(b)

An appeal board referred to in subsection (1), shall consist of (i)

a person appointed by reason of his knowledge of the law, and who shall act
as chairman of the appeal board; and

(ii)

two persons respectively nominated in the prescribed manner by the

appellant and the administering officer or the board, as the case may be.

An appellant, a person employed by the appellant, the administering officer, an

officer performing his functions under the control of the administering officer, a
member or an alternate member of the board, a member of a committee of the
board and a person referred to in section 2 (10) (b) shall not be appointed as a
member of an appeal board.

(4)

All the members of an appeal board shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the
appeal board, and a decision of the majority of the members thereof shall be a decision
of the appeal board.

(5)

There may be paid to a member of an appeal board who is not in the full-time
employment of the State, from moneys appropriated by Parliament for this purpose,
such remuneration or allowances as may be determined by the Minister, with the
concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in general or in any particular case.

(6)

Such appeal board may (a)

confirm, set aside or amend the decision or direction which is the subject of the
appeal;

(b)

refer the relevant matter back to the board or the administering officer for
reconsideration; or

(c)

make such order in connection therewith as it may deem fit.

(7)

The administering officer or the board, as the case may be, shall be bound by a decision
of an appeal board.

(8)

The decision of an appeal board together with the reasons therefor shall be in writing,
and copies thereof shall be furnished to the Director-General, the appellant and the
administering officer or the board, as the case may be.

(9)

If the decision or direction which is the subject of an appeal (a)

is set aside, the amount referred to in subsection (2) shall be refunded to the
appellant concerned;

(b)

is amended, or is referred back to the administering officer or the board for

reconsideration, such portion of the amount referred to in subsection (2) as the
appeal board concerned may determine, shall be refunded to the appellant
concerned.

23.

Offences and penalties

(1)

Any person who (a)

contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of section 4 (1), 5 (3) (a), 6 (3) (a),
7 (3) (a), 8 (3) (a), 9 (3) (a), 11 (1), (2) or (3), 12 (1), 16 (1) (a), 17 (1) (a) or 21
(1) or (2);

(b)

contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of section 5 (3) (b), 6 (3) (b), 7 (3)
(b), 8 (3) (b), 9 (3) (b) or 20 (4);

(c)

contravenes or fails to comply with a condition, restriction, prohibition,

reservation or direction imposed under section 10 (4), 11 (4) or (5) (b), 16 (4) or
(5), 17 (4) or 28 (3) (a);

(d)

after his application for participation in a scheme has been approved, refuses or
fails to comply with the provisions of that scheme or a condition determined in
terms thereof;

(e)

obstructs or hinders a person referred to in section 18 (1) in the exercise of his

powers or the carrying out of his duties under this Act or a scheme;

(f)

refuses or fails to render the reasonable assistance that a person referred to in

section 18 (1) demands from him in terms of section 18 (2) (b) in the exercising of
his powers or the carrying out of his duties under this Act or a scheme;

(g)

refuses or fails to furnish information or give an explanation or to answer to the

best of his ability to a question lawfully demanded from or put to him by a person
referred to in section 18 (1) in the exercising of his powers or the carrying out of
his duties under this Act or a scheme, or furnishes information, an explanation or
an answer to such person which is false or misleading, knowing that it is false or
misleading;

(h)

tampers with a sample taken in terms of section 18 (2) (e), or the identification or
seal of such sample;

(i)

sells, removes or tampers with a liquor product, material, substance or other

article, or a book or document seized in terms of section 19, or tampers with an
identification mark or other seal attached thereto in terms of that section;

(j)

falsely holds himself out to be an analyst;

(k)

effects any unauthorized alteration, deletion or entry on any certificate which has
been issued in terms of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)

Any person who is convicted of an offence under this Act shall -

24.

(a)

on a first conviction of an offence referred to in paragraph (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) or
(g) of subsection (1), be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not less
than two years or to both a fine and such imprisonment;

(b)

on a second or subsequent conviction of an offence mentioned in paragraph (a),

whether it be the same offence or some other offence mentioned in that paragraph,
be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not less than four years or to
both a fine and such imprisonment;

(c)

on a first conviction of an offence referred to in paragraph (b), (h), (i), (j) or (k) of
subsection (1), be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not less than six
months or to both a fine and such imprisonment; and

(d)

on a second or subsequent conviction of an offence mentioned in paragraph (c),

whether it be the same offence or some other offence mentioned in that paragraph,
be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not less than one year or to both
a fine and such imprisonment.

Presumptions and evidence

In any prosecution under this Act (a)

it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the applicable provisions of this
Act or a scheme apply to the product in respect of which the offence concerned has
allegedly been committed;

(b)

any quantity of a liquor product, material, substance or other article in or upon any
place, premises or conveyance when a sample thereof is taken in accordance with the
provisions of this Act shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be of the same
composition as that sample, and to possess in all other respects the same properties as
that sample;

(c)

a certificate referred to in section 20 (3) in which the result of a test, examination or

analysis carried out in terms of section 20 (2) is recorded, and which purports to be
signed by the analyst who carried out that test, examination or analysis, shall be
accepted as prima facie proof of the facts mentioned therein;

(d)

any statement or entry contained in any book or document kept by any person or the
manager, agent or employee of such person, or found in or upon any place or premises
occupied by, or any vehicle used in the business of, such person, shall be admissible in
evidence against him as an admission of the facts set forth in that statement or entry,
unless it is proved that such statement or entry was not made by such person, or by the
manager, agent or employee of such person in the course of his work as manager or in
the course of his agency or employment; and

(e)

it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that a permit, authorization, consent,
approval, certificate or other document has not been issued, given or granted to any
person who in terms of this Act or a scheme is required to be in possession thereof.

25.

Forfeitures
The court convicting any person of an offence under this Act shall, when requested thereto by
the public prosecutor, in addition to any other penalty imposed in respect of that offence,
order that a relevant quantity of a liquor product, material, substance or other article which is
the subject of the charge against such person, be forfeited to the State, after which the
property so forfeited shall be destroyed.

26.

Vicarious liability
(1)

When a manager, representative, agent, employee or member of the family of a person

(in this section called the principal) does or omits to do any act, and it would be an
offence under this Act for the principal to do or omit to do such act himself, that
principal shall be deemed himself to have done or omitted to do the act, unless he
satisfies the court that (a)

he neither connived at nor permitted the act or omission by the manager,

representative, agent, employee or member concerned;

(b)

he took all reasonable steps to prevent the act or omission; and

(c)

an act or omission, whether lawful or unlawful, of the nature charged, on no

condition or under no circumstance fell within the scope of the authority or
employment of the manager, representative, agent, employee or member
concerned,

and the fact that such principal issued instructions whereby an act or omission of that
nature is prohibited, shall in itself not be sufficient proof that he took all reasonable
steps to prevent the act or omission.

27.

(2)

When a principal is by virtue of subsection (1) liable for an act or omission by a

manager, representative, agent, employee or member of his family, that manager,
representative, agent, employee or member shall also be liable therefor as if he were the
principal concerned.

(3)

The provisions of subsection (2) shall not release a manager, representative, agent,
employee or member contemplated in that subsection from any other liability which he
may have incurred apart from the liability which he shares with the principal concerned.

(4)

In the application of this section in any prosecution, evidence that any article was at the
time of the act or omission charged, in the possession or under the custody, supervision,
control or care of any manager, representative, agent, employee or member of the
family of the principal, shall be prima facie proof that the principal concerned is the
owner of the article concerned.

Regulations
(1)

The Minister may make regulations regarding (a)

any matter which in terms of this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed;

(b)

control of the receipt, keeping and use of particular substances which are or may
be used, or shall not be used, in connection with the production of liquor products,
at premises where the liquor products are produced;

(c)

the designation of a person charged with the application of this Act, and regarding
different such designations in relation to different provisions of this Act;

(d)

processes which shall or may be applied in the production of liquor products;

(e)

requirements for raw materials that may be used in or in connection with the
production of a liquor product, and control which is to be exercised over such raw
materials;

(f)

methods and procedures in connection with the taking of samples;

(g)

the registration of particulars in respect of persons for the purposes of section 11

(1);

(h)

the procedure at proceedings of an appeal board referred to in section 22;

(i)

prohibited practices in connection with the indication of particulars on containers

in which liquor products are sold, and in connection with the use of certain
particulars in connection with the sale of liquor products;

(j)

the keeping of records and the furnishing of returns in connection with the
production and sale of liquor products;

(k)

the fees payable in respect of anything done under this Act, or which is required to
be so done;

(l)

the permissible tolerances with regard to prescribed requirements, specifications

or other directions;

(m) the quantity and marking of tanks, casks and other receptacles used in the
production and storage of liquor products;
(n)

the circumstances and conditions under which the administering officer or the
board, as the case may be, may allow for a relaxation of a requirement in terms of
a regulation or a scheme,

and, generally, with regard to any matter which he considers it necessary or expedient to
prescribe in order to achieve or to promote the objects of this Act, and the generality of
this provision shall not be limited by the preceding paragraphs of this subsection.
(2)

Different regulations which differ in the respects deemed expedient by the Minister,
may, subject to the provisions of this Act, be made under this section, in relation to
different areas in the Republic or of different liquor products or classes thereof.

(3)

A regulation may for any contravention thereof or failure to comply therewith, prescribe
a penalty which shall not exceed a fine of R2 000 or imprisonment for a period of six
months or both that fine and that imprisonment.

(4)
28.

A regulation prescribing fees shall be made with the concurrence of the Minister of
Finance.

Discretionary powers
(1)

When the administering officer or the board considers any application or request made
under or by virtue of this Act or a scheme, he or the board may make any investigation
or inquiry in connection therewith which may be deemed necessary, and for the
purposes of such investigation or inquiry demand that such documents, information or
samples as may be specified, be submitted to him or the board.

(2)

Whenever a regulation or a scheme specifies any period within which anything is to be

done or performed, the administering officer or the board, as the case may be, may
extend the period concerned, either before or after the period has expired.

(3)

Any approval, authorization or consent given or granted under or by virtue of this Act or
a scheme may, except where expressly provided otherwise -

(4)

(a)

be made subject to such conditions as the administering officer or the board, as the
case may be, may in each case determine; and

(b)

be amended or withdrawn by the administering officer or the board, as the case

may be, if he deems it expedient.

If the administering officer or the board, by virtue of a power vested in him or the board
by or under this Act or a scheme (a)

refuses to approve an application or a request which was submitted to him in

writing; or

(b)

amends or withdraws an approval, authorization or consent as contemplated in

subsection (3) (b),

he shall notify the applicant concerned in writing of his decision and of the grounds on
which it is based.
29.

30.

Delegation of powers
(1)

The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he may impose, in writing delegate any
power conferred on him by this Act, excluding a power referred to in sections 14 and
27, to an officer employed by the department, but shall not be divested of any power so
delegated and may set aside or amend any decision of the delegate made in the exercise
of such a power.

(2)

The Director-General may, subject to such conditions as he may impose, in writing

delegate any power conferred on him by this Act to an officer employed by the
department, but shall not be divested of any power so delegated and may set aside or
amend any decision of the delegate made in the exercise of such a power.

Defects in form

A defect in the form of any document which in terms of any law is required to be executed in
a particular manner, or in a document issued in terms of this Act or a scheme, shall, if the
document substantially complies with the applicable legal requirements, not render unlawful
any administrative act performed in terms of this Act or a scheme in respect of the matter to
which such document relates, and shall not be a ground for exception to any legal procedure
which may be taken in respect of such matter.
31.

Limitation of liability
No person, including the State, shall be liable in respect of anything done or omitted in good
faith in the exercise of a power or the carrying out of a duty or the performance of a function
under or by virtue of this Act or a scheme, or in the rendering of any service in terms of this
Act or a scheme, or in respect of anything that may result therefrom.

32.

Repeal and amendment of laws

Subject to the provisions of sections 2 (8) (c) and (10) (c), 10 (5) (a), 11 (4) (b), 15 (2), 16 (6),
17 (5) and 20 (1) (b), the laws mentioned in the Schedule are hereby repealed or amended to
the extent indicated in the third column thereof.

33.

Short title and commencement

(1)

This Act shall be called the Liquor Products Act, 1989, and shall come into operation on
a date fixed by the State President by proclamation in the Gazette.

(2)

Different dates may be fixed under subsection (1) in respect of different provisions of
this Act.
Schedule
LAWS REPEALED OR AMENDED
(Section 32)

No. and year of law

Short title
Extent of repeal or amendment
Act No. 14 of 1921
Restriction on the Importation of
The repeal of the whole.
Wine and Spirits Act, 1921
Act No. 25 of 1957
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages The repeal of the whole.
and Spirits Act, 1957
Act No. 91 of 1964
Customs and Excise Act, 1964
1 . The amendment of section 1(a) by the deletion in subsection (1) of
the definition of Government Brandy
Board; and
(b) by the insertion in subsection (1)
after the definition of vehicle of the
following definition:
Wine and Spirit Board means the
board referred to in section 2 of the
Liquor Products Act, 1989..
2. The amendment of section 30 by the
substitution in subsection (1) for the
expression Government Brandy

Act No. 50 of 1966

Act No. 30 of 1968
Act No. 47 of 1970
Act No. 62 of 1970
Act No. 62 of 1972
Act No. 75 of 1974
Act No. 68 of 1976
Act No. 7 of 1980
Act No. 87 of 1980
Act No. 63 of 1984
Act No. 97 of 1986

Act No. 36 of 1988

Act No. 27 of 1989

Wine, Spirits and Vinegar

Amendment Act, 1966
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1968
Wine and Spirit Control Act, 1970
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1970
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1972
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1974
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1976
Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Amendment Act, 1980
Wine and Spirits Amendment Act,
1980
Wine and Spirits Amendment Act,
1984
Transfer of Powers and Duties of
the State President Act, 1986

Wine and Spirit Amendment Act,

1988
Liquor Act

Board, where it appears in the words

preceding the proviso, of the expression
Wine and Spirit Board.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of the whole.
.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of the whole.
The repeal of sections 13 and 14.
The repeal of sections 6 to 10,
inclusive.
The repeal in the First Schedule of the
item relating to the Restriction on the
Importation of Wine and Spirits Act,
1921 (Act No. 14 of 1921), and in the
Second Schedule of the item relating to
the Wine, Other Fermented Beverages
and Spirits Act, 1957 (Act No. 25 of
1957).
The repeal of sections 12 and 13.
.